Long Island City
Few neighborhoods in New York have changed so thoroughly and dramatically as Long Island City (LIC) over the past 15 years. Once a sleepy, self-contained and semi-industrial Queens town, LIC has transformed into one of the most upscale and desirable neighborhoods outside of Manhattan. Driving this change was the development of the waterfront and building of a number of towering high-rises, that brought inventory and modern luxury to a neighborhood lacking in both.
![long-island-preview](https://www.ubiqny.com/wp-content/uploads/Long-Island-Preview.jpg)
Where Is
The Locals
![Long-Island-City](/wp-content/uploads/Long-Island-City-Condos-3.jpg)
What's to Love
![](/wp-content/uploads/Long-Island-City-Condos-2.jpg)
What's Not to Expect
The all-glass, hyper-modern residential structures have a somewhat sterile feeling to them, and the neighborhood is still feels desolate in areas like its industrial past. While prices were once a huge bargain, they have risen steadily to the point where they are less so now. There is also not much of a nightlife and the streets become quiet and empty later into the evenings.
Long Island City Look & Feel
![](/wp-content/uploads/Long-Island-City-Condos-1.jpg)
Great Eats Cool Drinks & Nights Out & Entertainment
Long Island City’s foodie culture has developed rapidly over the past 10 years, with many new restaurants opening on the commercial thoroughfare of Vernon Blvd and Jackson Blvd.
Top Choices:
- Il Falco: the neighborhood’s best Italian offering
- Sushi Daizen: authentic Japanese omakase
- M Wells Steakhouse: the area’s top steakhouse
- Casa Enrique: high-end Mexican
![m-wells-steakhouse](https://www.ubiqny.com/wp-content/uploads/M-Wells-Steakhouse.jpg)
![sushi-daizen](https://www.ubiqny.com/wp-content/uploads/Sushi-Daizen.jpg)
![il-falco](https://www.ubiqny.com/wp-content/uploads/Il-Falco.jpg)
Parks & Rec
Long Island City has a handful of greenspace parks to the north but not the south, as the lovely Gantry waterfront park is all-concrete--great for sightseeing but less so for lounging or exercising. The northend of LIC to Astoria has Queensbridge and Rainey parks along the waterfront and, even better still, the open-access Socrates Sculpture Garden, where outdoor artist installations go up and weekly outdoor summer movies play.
Guest Lodging
Like most neighborhoods outside of Manhattan, Long Island City offers only limited hotel accommodation options. Top choices include:
LIC Hotel
Ravel Hotel
Z Hotel
Ravel Hotel
Z Hotel
Public Transportation
Long Island City has good access public transportation options that make it easy to get to Manhattan or further south in Brooklyn, with both the 7 train and E/M lines running to Midtown and the G train heading south into Greenpoint and below.
Transportation options: 7 E M G Bus service
Car Travel
There is street parking in Long Island City, though spaces are limited in the condo development along the waterfront. The rest of the neighborhood has less of an issue.
LaGuardia: 15 minutes
JFK: 35-60 minutes
Newark: 60-75 minutes
Green cabs for passenger pickup are also readily available just about anywhere. Distance from main airports by car:
LaGuardia: 15 minutes
JFK: 35-60 minutes
Newark: 60-75 minutes